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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Three sea otters float in the water. There are hills or mountains in the distance in the background.

Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues

The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
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sea otter eye contact, CA

Rooted in Resilience: Sea Otter Awareness Week Returns for its 24th Year

Sea Otter Awareness Week is sponsored and organized by Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, California State Parks, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Elakha Alliance and The Marine Mammal Center. Learn more about sea otters during Sea Otter Awareness Week at upcoming in-person and virtual events in California and Oregon.

Press Releases

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2012.03.13 - Manta Ray Gliding Over a Reef - Kevin Lino - NOAA.jpg
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on Trump Rollback Opening Marine Monument to Fishing Industry

On Thursday, April 17, the Trump Administration issued a proclamation calling for the opening of commercial fishing in waters of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine
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Endangered Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus), Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Responds to Redefinition of Harm Under ESA

Andrew Bowman, Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO, today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s notice that it intends to rescind the regulatory definition of “Harm” under the Endangered Species Act:
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California Condor Take Off - Big Sur - California
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Intervenes to Protect Biden ESA Regulations

Defenders today filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed in federal court in the District of Columbia that challenges the Biden administration’s 2024 Endangered Species Act regulations.
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Wading flock, Everglades National Park, Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rolls Back Protections for Migratory Birds

The Trump administration late last week reinstated a dangerous opinion under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act from the president’s first term that allows extractive energy
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gray wolf
Salem, OR

Oregon Releases 2024 Annual Wolf Report

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued its 2024 gray wolf annual report, announcing an increase in the wolf population for a new
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243